Federal marshals intensify hunt for fake death suspect

US federal marshals yesterday intensified their search for an investment manager they believe faked a distress call before parachuting from his plane over Alabama and disappearing on a motorbike he had stashed in advance.

Authorities were trying to figure out if it was all an attempt by Marcus Schrenker, 38, to fake his own death after his wife filed for divorce, his companies were targeted by investigators and he lost $500,000 (€378,800) in a court case.

The only sign of life from Schrenker, who lived a high-flying life as an investment manager and an experienced recreational pilot with the nerves to pull off aerial stunts, came in an ominous email he apparently sent to a neighbour, Tom Britt. It said the situation was a misunderstanding and added: “By the time you get this, I’ll be gone.”